MEDIA
United Shades of America host W. Kamau Bell brought CNN’s cameras to Lynch, KY so Dr. Turner could show him what was so special about growing up Black in Appalachia.
Dr. Turner participated in University of Cincinnati’s DAAP School of Planning Lecture Series, discussing his award-winning book The Harlan Renaissance: Stories of Black Life in Appalachian Coal Towns.
On Thursday, March 17, Great Smoky Mountains Association’s ongoing podcast miniseries, “Sepia Tones: Exploring Black Appalachian Music,” was recognized with the e-Appalachia Award at the 45th Annual Appalachian Studies Association Conference.
The e-Appalachia Award is given annually in recognition of an outstanding media source that either provides insight on Appalachia and its people or provides a vital community service to Appalachians. e-Appalachia Committee Chair Sophia Enríquez praised “Sepia Tones” as “an invaluable step toward more truthful, just, and complete stories of Appalachian music in which we understand Appalachian music history as first and foremost Black music history.”
“Sepia Tones” co-hosts Dr. William Turner and Dr. Ted Olson presented their ongoing project in a session at this year’s ASA Conference, held in Morgantown, West Virginia. Sharing their experiences and playing clips of interviews with musical guests and experts featured in the miniseries, Turner and Olson reflected on how the project has shed light on the many ways that Black musicians have shaped Appalachian music today.
“It is an honor and a joy to work with Bill on this important topic,” said Olson. “The ASA recognition and our presentation at the conference confirmed for me that the explorations of and conversations about Black Appalachian music begun in ‘Sepia Tones’ should continue into the future.”
Dr. Turner joins the Appodlachia podcast to discuss the expansive history of Black people in Appalachia.
West Kentucky Community & Technical College hosted Dr. Turner on February 11 as part of their Black History Month celebration. He shared ways to expand the understanding of Black people in Appalachia and improve community life among the economically marginalized.
King University welcomes Dr. Turner back to discuss his new book, The Harlan Renaissance, which combines his scholarly work on African-American history in Appalachia with stories from his own life.
Dr. William H. Turner discusses the movement of Black people in and through Appalachia and the role of mechanization in their work in the coal industry from his book, The Harlan Renaissance.
Dr. Turner, who earned his Ph.D. at Notre Dame, joins The Endless Conversation from Notre Dame Magazine to discuss his new book.
Aired January 4, 2022
Political strategist and social impact advocate Aisha Mills shines a spotlight on the personal side of politics and the policies impacting Black and Brown America on AMplified.
Aired December 06, 2021
The Carter G. Woodson Center at Berea College launched the first in a series of videos to introduce you to new scholarship in the area of Interracial Education. This video features Dr. William H. Turner speaking from his book, The Harlan Renaissance.
Dr. Turner sits with Maira Ansari on WAVE Country with Dawne Gee for WAVE 3 News Louisville.
October 25, 2021
Dr. Turner delivers a memorable lunchtime lecture at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, where he received his Associates degree before moving on to UK and Notre Dame.
October 26, 2021
““We need to do more to inform those kids that well, back in the day in the 50′s, in the 40′s, in the 30′s, in the 20′s, all the way back to the turn of the 20th century, that where they lived used to be a much more diverse place,” Dr. Turner said.”
October 26, 2021
Click the image to see Dr. Turner’s interview on KETTC Connections with host Renee Shaw.
Click for WYMT Mountain News coverage of Dr. Turners lecture at Hazard Community and Technical College. The suit and tie game is almost as strong as his knowledge and humor!
Listen to Appalachia Meets World: Episode 12 - “The Harlan Renaissance”
Aug 6th, 2021
In this episode, Bill sits down with hosts Will and Neil Warren to discuss his book, "The Harlan Renaissance: Stories of Black Life in Appalachian Coal Towns." Listen as Dr. Turner talks about everything from growing up in the cosmopolitan town of Lynch, KY, to his favorite fishing spot. Listen to find out more and to once again dispel some of the misconceptions of Appalachia!
Listen to Sepia Tones: Exploring Black Appalachian Music
Appalachian music historians Ted Olson and Bill Turner host the six-part Sepia Tones production, which includes rarely heard historic recordings and lively conversations with dozens of regional and nationally known musical guests. The series spun off from the Greater Smoky Mountains Association’s popular Smoky Mountain Air podcast.
September 16, 2021
Bill is interviewed by Gerald Smith as part of Smith’s ongoing series on racial justice and equality. They discuss Appalachian life from a Black perspective and Bill’s new book, The Harlan Renaissance.